Mobility and Immobility
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_iu6l3e
1. What is the correct way to walk using a cane?: advance the cane forward first, then the affected
leg, then the unaffected leg
2. How far should you advance the cane when walking?: 6-10 inches
3. When climbing stairs with a cane, where should the cane be?: Keep the cane at the
same level as the affected leg when climbing stairs
4. Should you hold the cane on the affected or unaffected leg when ambulat-
ing?: unaffected side
5. what is mobility?: the ability to move freely, easily, rhythmically, and purposefully in the environment (an
essential part of living)
6. what are some common symptoms that are associated with altered mobili-
ty?: pain, reduced joint movement, reduced sensation or loss of sensation, falls, fatigue, altered gait or imbalance,
reduced functional ability
7. what are some pathological influences on body alignment and mobility?: con-
genital defects, disorders of bones/joints/muscles, inflammatory joint diseases, CNS damage, musculoskeletal trauma,
any equipment or devices to protect
8. what are some physiologic factors that influence activity tolerance?: skeletal/mus-
cular abnormalities, metabolic illnesses, cardiac/resp function, endurance/physical stability, pain, sleep/fatigue
9. what are some emotional factors that influence activity tolerance?: anxiety, de-
pression, addictions, motivation
10. what are ADL's?: basic, essential skills that a person does independently everyday and related to personal
care
11. what is the purpose of continuing to support ADL's?: achieves high quality of life and
independence
12. what's the purpose of assistive equipment?: assist with independence and reduce physical
strain on a client
13. what are some safe patient handling best practices?: -use standardized assessment
tools
-assess environment for ergonomics
-use algorithms/assessments to select appropriate lift devices, equipment, and support needed
-participate in safety huddles
-minimize lifting when possible
-promote early mobility
1/6
, Mobility and Immobility
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_iu6l3e
14. how should the nurse be positioned when transferring and positioning a
client who can assist?: -have a wide base of support (spread feet apart)
-have a low center of gravity (bend knees)
-face towards the direction of mvmt to prevent abnormal twisting of spine
15. how should the nurse be positioned when transferring and positioning a
client who is unable to assist?: -divide balance between arms and legs to reduce risk of back injury
-try to use leverage, rolling, turning, or pivoting as it requires less work than lifting
-reduce friction between the object to be moved and the surface on which it is moved (less force is required)
16. what is the first top priority for everything?: make sure the patient is safe/in a safe position
17. what do you do if a patient is falling?: slowly guide them down your knee onto the floor. Keep
legs apart, don't use your back, keep the patient close to your body
18. What are the key steps for safely helping a patient walk?: -assess for strength,
coordination, vitals, and environment
-ensure patient is wearing non-skid shoes or socks
-assist to sitting and let the patient dangle legs for 1-2 min
-use a gait belt
-know how to assist with falls/syncope
-use assistive devices as needed
19. what is syncope?: fainting/passing out
20. what are some systemic effects of immobility?: metabolic changes, psychosocial effects,
respiratory changes, cardiovascular changes, musculoskeletal changes, integumentary changes, urinary elimination,
bowel elimination
21. what are some complications that can come from metabolic changes due
to immobility?: -decreased appetite -> negative nitrogen balance -> weight loss, decreased muscle mass,
weakness
-hypercalcemia -> pathological fractures
-decreased GI motility -> constipation, fecal impactions with pseudodiarrhea
22. what are some nursing interventions for metabolic changes due to immo-
bility?: monitor I&O, monitor % of food intake, high protein/high calorie diet, monitor wound healing, monitor lab
values (electrolytes, serum protein, BUN), monitor elimination patterns
23. what are some complications of psychosocial effects due to immobility?: de-
pression
2/6
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_iu6l3e
1. What is the correct way to walk using a cane?: advance the cane forward first, then the affected
leg, then the unaffected leg
2. How far should you advance the cane when walking?: 6-10 inches
3. When climbing stairs with a cane, where should the cane be?: Keep the cane at the
same level as the affected leg when climbing stairs
4. Should you hold the cane on the affected or unaffected leg when ambulat-
ing?: unaffected side
5. what is mobility?: the ability to move freely, easily, rhythmically, and purposefully in the environment (an
essential part of living)
6. what are some common symptoms that are associated with altered mobili-
ty?: pain, reduced joint movement, reduced sensation or loss of sensation, falls, fatigue, altered gait or imbalance,
reduced functional ability
7. what are some pathological influences on body alignment and mobility?: con-
genital defects, disorders of bones/joints/muscles, inflammatory joint diseases, CNS damage, musculoskeletal trauma,
any equipment or devices to protect
8. what are some physiologic factors that influence activity tolerance?: skeletal/mus-
cular abnormalities, metabolic illnesses, cardiac/resp function, endurance/physical stability, pain, sleep/fatigue
9. what are some emotional factors that influence activity tolerance?: anxiety, de-
pression, addictions, motivation
10. what are ADL's?: basic, essential skills that a person does independently everyday and related to personal
care
11. what is the purpose of continuing to support ADL's?: achieves high quality of life and
independence
12. what's the purpose of assistive equipment?: assist with independence and reduce physical
strain on a client
13. what are some safe patient handling best practices?: -use standardized assessment
tools
-assess environment for ergonomics
-use algorithms/assessments to select appropriate lift devices, equipment, and support needed
-participate in safety huddles
-minimize lifting when possible
-promote early mobility
1/6
, Mobility and Immobility
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_iu6l3e
14. how should the nurse be positioned when transferring and positioning a
client who can assist?: -have a wide base of support (spread feet apart)
-have a low center of gravity (bend knees)
-face towards the direction of mvmt to prevent abnormal twisting of spine
15. how should the nurse be positioned when transferring and positioning a
client who is unable to assist?: -divide balance between arms and legs to reduce risk of back injury
-try to use leverage, rolling, turning, or pivoting as it requires less work than lifting
-reduce friction between the object to be moved and the surface on which it is moved (less force is required)
16. what is the first top priority for everything?: make sure the patient is safe/in a safe position
17. what do you do if a patient is falling?: slowly guide them down your knee onto the floor. Keep
legs apart, don't use your back, keep the patient close to your body
18. What are the key steps for safely helping a patient walk?: -assess for strength,
coordination, vitals, and environment
-ensure patient is wearing non-skid shoes or socks
-assist to sitting and let the patient dangle legs for 1-2 min
-use a gait belt
-know how to assist with falls/syncope
-use assistive devices as needed
19. what is syncope?: fainting/passing out
20. what are some systemic effects of immobility?: metabolic changes, psychosocial effects,
respiratory changes, cardiovascular changes, musculoskeletal changes, integumentary changes, urinary elimination,
bowel elimination
21. what are some complications that can come from metabolic changes due
to immobility?: -decreased appetite -> negative nitrogen balance -> weight loss, decreased muscle mass,
weakness
-hypercalcemia -> pathological fractures
-decreased GI motility -> constipation, fecal impactions with pseudodiarrhea
22. what are some nursing interventions for metabolic changes due to immo-
bility?: monitor I&O, monitor % of food intake, high protein/high calorie diet, monitor wound healing, monitor lab
values (electrolytes, serum protein, BUN), monitor elimination patterns
23. what are some complications of psychosocial effects due to immobility?: de-
pression
2/6
